BATE Borisov* 1 - 1 Levski Sofia
Dinamo Zagreb 1 - 3 Shakhtar Donetsk*
FBK Kaunas 0 - 2 AaB*
Olympiacos 1 - 0 Anorthosis Famagusta*
Steaua Bucuresti* 1 - 0 Galatasaray
Marseille* 2 - 1 SK Brann
Dynamo Kiev* 4 - 1 Spartak Moscow
Atlético Madrid* 4 - 0 Schalke 04
Fenerbahce* 2 - 1 Partizan Belgrade
Arsenal* 4 - 0 Twente Enschede
FC Basel* 2 - 1 Guimaraes
Liverpool* 1 - 0 Standard Liege
Slavia Prague 0 - 0 Fiorentina*
*denotes qualifiers for the group stages of 2008-09 UEFA Champions League.
SUMMARY:
English Premier League giants Arsenal cruised through to the group stages of Europe's premier club competition with a comfortable 4-0 (6-0 agg) win over Dutch side FC Twente but five-times European champions Liverpool only just managed to scrape through with an extra time winner against Standard Liege at Anfield.
The Gunners were just too classy for FC Twente, a side managed by former England boss Steve 'Brolly' McLaren, and the home side controlled the tempo of the game from start to finish, such was there dominance all over the park.
Arsene Wenger's men completely passed the visitors off the pitch with some imaginative football which resulted in four different players getting on the scoresheet - Samir Nasri (27), William Gallas (52), Theo Walcott (66) and Nicklas Bendtner (89).
It wasn't so easy for Rafa Benitez's at Anfield as Liverpool's woeful early season form continued but once again, they were left off the hook by Belgian champions Standard Liege.
The visitors gave the five-time European champions a torrid time at home with a spirited and organised performance which highlighted Liverpool's lack of width on several occasions. Both sides had chances to win the game - the first leg ended with a draw - and it took until the 118th minute for Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt to find the winner to send the Reds through to the lucrative group stages of the competition.
Wed, Apr 30: UEFA Champions League (Semi-Final 2nd Leg)
Chelsea 3-2 Liverpool (Chelsea wins 4-3 agg)
SUMMARY:
It was a case of third-time lucky for Chelsea as Roman Abramovich's multi-million dollar squad finally ended their Liverpool jinx in Europe by reaching the final of the Champion's League for the first time in the history of the club.
On a rainy night in the capital, Chelsea ran out 3-2 winners - and 4-3 on aggregate - over Liverpool courtesy of a brace from Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard penalty while Liverpool ended their barren run of goals at Stamford Bridge through Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel.
The match ran into extra-time between the closely-matched sides after Drogba opened the scoring with a thunderous drive in the first half before Fernando Torres hauled the five-times European champions level with a slotted finish in the 64th minute.
With neither side willing to give in, extra-time loomed and Michael Essien thought he had scored the winner for the hosts with a 20-yard effort that was correctly ruled offside. Rather than feeling sorry for themselves, the Blues continued to attack and were awarded a penalty just moments later when Reds defender Sami Hyypia brought down Michael Ballack just a fraction inside the box.
Up stepped Lampard - who returned to the side after the death of his mother last week - to send Pepe Reina the wrong way to spark emotional celebrations.
A 2-1 scoreline was never going to be safe against a never-say-die Liverpool team and the home side knew that the visitors only had to equalise to go through on the away goal rule so Drogba made sure of victory in the 105th minute after good work from ex-Liverpool striker Nicolas Anelka.
There was more drama though as Ryan Babel conjured a goal out of nothing in the second half of extra time with a rasping 35-yard shot that caught Petr Cech off guard, It was, however, a mere consolation for the Reds as Chelsea held onto win the match and book a place in the showpiece final in Moscow on May 21.
Tue, Apr 22: UEFA Champions League (Semi-Final 1st Leg)
Liverpool 1 - 1 Chelsea
SUMMARY
Liverpool were on the brink of securing a thoroughly deserved 1-0 win over Chelsea at Anfield overnight before disaster struck in the fourth minute of extra-time when a John Arne Riise own goal gave the visitors a vital away goal in the 1st leg of the first semi-final.
So dominant were Liverpool's display throughout the match that the mighty Reds could have scored at least four goals without reply on a night when several players were on brilliant form.
Unfortunately, Chelsea keeper Petr Cech chose last night to reaffirm his position as arguably the best goalkeeper in the world with a string of impressive saves to deny both Steven Gerrard and Fernando on countless occasions throughout the match.
The hosts took the lead in the 43rd minute through Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt who had robbed Frank Lampard of the ball before forcing it past the inspirational Cech. Buoyed by the breakthrough, the Reds went all out thereafter for the killer blow but time and time again, Cech was able to thwart the efforts of the home side.
With the match ticking away and Chelsea clearly bereft of ideas, the Blues fans amongst the crowd at Anfield were anxiously waiting for the final whistle before the sucker punch was delivered.
Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou curled a hopeful cross into the box from wide on the left which was headed in by Liverpool sub John Arne Riise and the Kop were stunned.
The vital away goal means that the London club are now in pole position to reach the Champions League final for the first time on May 21 with the return leg of the semi-final to be played at Stamford Bridge next week.
Tues, Apr 8: UEFA Champions League (Quarter-Final 2nd Leg)
Liverpool 4 - 2 Arsenal (Liverpool through on 5 - 3 Agg)
Chelsea 2 - 0 Fenerbahce (Chelsea through on 3 - 2 Agg)
SUMMARY:
Liverpool and Chelsea have been reunited in the Champions League semi-final for the third time in four years courtesy of wins over Arsenal and Fenerbahce overnight.
Liverpool went into the return leg with a slender away goal advantage but it was Arsenal who started the brighter of the two sides and it came as no surprise when they went in front in the 13th minute through an Abou Diaby strike.
The Kop was silenced but not for long as defender Sami Hyypia restored parity on the half hour mark with a trademark headed goal and the home side began to dominate with new found confidence.
The Reds then took the lead in the second half when goal machine Fernando Torres gratefully latched onto Peter Crouch's flick on to fire a shot into the top corner. But with just seven minutes left, Arsenal stunned the hosts with an equaliser through Emmanuel Adebayor to make it 2-2 and it was advantage Gunners on the away goals rule.
A minute later, Liverpool were awarded a penalty when substitute Ryan Babel was adjudged to have been brought down by Toure. Up stepped captain marvel Steven Gerrard to fire the spot kick into the top corner to restore the home side's lead.
But the action was not over yet. Arsenal surged forward in search of the equaliser that would send them through to the next round but were caught out by a Ryan Babel breakaway goal which sealed a 4-2 victory on another famous European night at Anfield.
In the other quarter-final clash of the evening, goals from midfielders Michael Ballack and Frank Lampard gave Chelsea a 2-0 win at home over Turkish side Fenerbahce to book a place in the semi-final for the fourth time in five years.
Wed, Apr 2: UEFA Champions League (Quarter-Final 1st Leg)
Arsenal 1 - 1 Liverpool
Fenerbahce 2 - 1 Chelsea
SUMMARY:
Last season's Champions League finalists Liverpool hold a slender away goal advantage heading into next week's return leg at Anfield after a 1-1 draw against Arsenal in the quarter-final first leg overnight.
The home side took the lead through Emmanuel Adebayor's header only for the visitors to equalise just three minutes later after a moment of genius from captain marvel Steven Gerrard. Bursting his way past three Arsenal defenders, the England midfielder then crossed for Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt to bundle the ball home for a crucial away goal.
Both sides had opportunities to take the lead thereafter including a strong penalty claim for the Gunners after Alex Hleb appeared to have his shirt tugged by Kuyt as he made his way inside the box only for referee Pieter Vink to wave play on.
Arsenal and Liverpool face off again on Saturday in a Premier League clash before meeting for the return leg at Anfield next Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Chelsea suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at the hands of Turkish giants Fenerbahce at the Sukru Saracoglu in the second Champions League quarter-final match last night.
The London club took the lead in the 13th minute courtesy of an own goal by Deivid but the home side kept at it and were rewarded for their efforts when substitute Colin Kazim-Richards equalised on the 64th minute.
Own goal villain Deivid then made amends for his earlier error by scoring the winner in the 80th minute with a spectacular 35-yard shot that gave Cudicini no chance.
Chelsea will need to go all out for a win at home in the return leg to reach their fourth semi-final in five years.
Tue, Mar 11: UEFA Champions League (Round of 16 2ND Leg)
Inter Milan 0 - 1 Liverpool
SUMMARY:
2004-05 Champion's League winners Liverpool are through to the quarter finals of the 07/08 competition after a convincing 3-0 (agg) win over Serie A leaders Internazionale.
After taking a 2-0 lead in the first leg at Anfield, Liverpool visited the Italian giants' own backyard to win 1-0 at the San Siro courtesy of a brilliant Fernando Torres goal to make it four English sides in the last eight of Europe's premier club competition.
Inter had yet another player sent off after Nicolas Burdisso picked up two offences and was given his marching orders in the 50th minute. The visitors, who had been playing beautifully up to that point, seized the opportunity to take the game beyond the home side with Spanish sensation Fernando Torres scoring his 26th goal of the season in the 63rd minute
Receiving the ball from Fabio Aurelio with his back to goal, Torres turned and unleashed in one swift motion to send the ball in the right hand corner. From then on, it was game over as the Reds snuffed out whatever little chance Inter had to claim the 12th European Cup quarter-final place in their history.
Schalke 04 1 - 0 FC Porto
Liverpool 2 - 0 Inter Milan
Roma 2 - 1 Real Madrid
Olympiacos 0 - 0 Chelsea
SUMMARY:
Rafa Benitez's Liverpool has a knack for playing their best football in Europe and it was the same case overnight as the Mighty Reds came back from an embarrassing 2-0 loss against Barnsley to beat Italian giants Inter Milan 2-0 at Anfield.
The most ardent of Liverpool fans would have been worried by the prospect of facing the form side in Europe in the middle of a horrendous form slump, but Benitez's men had other ideas as Inter collapsed spectacularly in the last five minutes.
Dutchman Dirk Kuyt made it two goals in two games with his 85th minute opener, a deflected right-foot shot before talismanic captain Steven Gerrard took possession on the far right corner of the box and fired the second home off the far post in injury time.
While life was made easier for the Reds after the sending off of Marco Materazzi for two bookable offences on the half hour mark, the Italians defended bravely for almost an hour until the home side did enough to finally make a breakthrough.
There is still plenty to play for in the second leg of this intriguing tie.
Elsewhere, Roma were fourth time lucky as they beat Spanish giants Real Madrid 2-1 at home at the fourth attempt. Spanish striker Raul opened the scoring the visitors in the 8th minute, but Roma equalised through Pizarro in the 24th minute before Mancini sealed the game with a 58th minute winner.
Real, with a precious away goal, will fancy their chances when the return leg takes place at the Bernabeu.
Schalke 04 played admirably in their first appearance in the knockout phase of the Champions League, beating FC Porto 1-0 while English Premier League side Chelsea were held to a bore draw by Greek side Olympiacos.
Tue, Nov 6: UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group A)
FC Porto 2 - 1 Marseille
Liverpool 8 - 0 Besiktas
UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group B)
Schalke 04 0 - 0 Chelsea
Valencia 0 - 2 Rosenborg
UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group C)
Lazio 2 - 1 Werder Bremen
Olympiakos 0 - 0 Real Madrid
UEFA Champions League (First Phase Group D)
Celtic 1 - 0 Benfica
Shakhtar Donetsk 0 - 3 AC Milan
SUMMARY:
Liverpool recorded the biggest winning margin in Champions League history with an 8 - 0 demolition of Besiktas at Anfield overnight.
The Mighty Reds regained their European pride on a magical European night at Anfield to give themselves a fighting chance of salvaging their Champions League dreams which had seen the team pick up just a solitary point from their opening three games.
As soon as Peter Crouch, restored to the starting line-up in place of the injured Fernando Torres, opened the scoring in the 19th minute, the floodgates opened for an avalanche of goals including a hat-trick for man of the match Yossi Benayoun.
The scoresheet makes a stunning read:
Peter Crouch (19)
Yossi Benayoun (32)
Yossi Benayoun (53)
Yossi Benayoun (56)
Steven Gerrard (69)
Ryan Babel (78)
Ryan Babel (81)
Peter Crouch (89)
To think that this was the same Liverpool side that lost to the same Turkish side just two weeks ago simply beggars belief!
But with qualification hopes at stake, Rafa Benitez's men turned on a performance worthy of European champions by ripping Besiktas to shreds in a commanding display.
Be sure to watch the video and check out Babel's cheeky back heel for his first goal!
Despite their comprehensive win at Anfield, Liverpool's chances of progressing in the Champions League were dealt a blow in Portugal as Porto claimed three points against Group A rivals Marseille.
In other matches, Rosenborg increased their chances of progressing from Group B by overturning Valencia 2-0 at the Mestalla while Chelsea could only manage a goalless draw against Schalke 04.
Wins were also recorded for Lazio, Celtic and reigning champions AC Milan.
Liverpool striker Andriy Voronin has shown that despite strike partner and fellow new signing Fernando Torres has taken all the headlines since their arrivals at Anfield, he is determined to hog the limelight with his displays on the pitch.
And what better way to do it than scoring a sublime goal like this?
And now from a slightly different angle...
What a cracker of a goal! Here's hoping for many more to come from the Ukrainian's right foot this season...
AC Milan revenged their defeat in the epic 2005 Champions League final by downing Liverpool 2-1 in their 'rematch' in Athens over-night.
A brace from veteran Filippo Inzaghi which included a fortuitous 1st goal against the run of play at the very end of the first half won the game for Milan.
Liverpool started the game brightly and in doing so, went against all expectations that the Reds would sit back and soak up the pressure for the first 20 minutes. Jermaine Pennant arguably produced his best performance in a Red shirt with his direct running causing all sorts of problems on the Milan left flank.
However, Gerrard and Pennant both wasted good opportunities to put the Reds ahead and the team duly paid for their profligacy in front of goal when Milan seized the lead just before half-time.
Alonso gave away a needless foul just outside the penalty and dead-ball expert Andrea Pirlo floated in a delicate shot ball which deflected off the shoulder of Pippo Inzaghi and past the wrong-footed Pepe Reina.
Sure, this was better than heading into the break with a 3-nil deficit like last time, but for all of Liverpool's dominance, they had nothing to show for it.
After the restart, the tempo of the match died down with Milan comfortable knowing they had a small cushion on their side. Liverpool continued to press but nothing eventuated so Benitez withdrew the ineffective Zenden for the attacking prowess of Aussie Harry Kewell.
Soon after, Gerrard had Liverpool's best chance on 62 minutes when he was sent clear by a dreadful pass by Rino Gattuso, but his finish was weak and Dida saved.
Two years ago, Liverpool had already restored parity with three goals in six second-half minutes and time was slowly running out for the Reds. Benitez had to take a gamble and put on England striker Peter Crouch (who was a surprising non-starter) in the place of the effective Mascherano who has to be given credit for the way he snuffled out Kaka, Milan's greatest attacking threat.
Liverpool continued to push forward in search of the equaliser but the withdrawal of Mascherano gave extra space for Kaka to exploit the Reds' defence and he delivered the killer pass for Inzaghi to score his second goal of the night.
Crouch then tested Dida with a 25-yard drive as Liverpool tried to mount an unlikely recovery that despite Dirk Kuyt's 89th goal, never eventuated.
Three Two and three-quarter minutes later (the ref obviously decided to give the lads an early shower), Milan celebrated their seventh triumph in Europe.
Can I just say that Rafa, for once, got his tactics completely wrong in deploying Gerrard so far up the pitch. Gerrard is a wonderful footballer and is equally devastating in the centre or the right side of midfield, but he is NOT a forward.
Why he chose to leave the height that Peter Crouch provides is beyond me. Many a time, Kuyt was forced to hold the ball upfront (a job Crouch is better at) and at other times, Gerrard was playing even further up the pitch than the supposed 'lone striker'!
If only Alonso was as good a tackler as he is a passer of the ball, that needless foul just before half-time would not have eventuated. In fact, Alonso should have been on the bench with Gerrard in his position with Crouch and Kuyt upfront instead.
This would have meant that Robbie Fowler was on the bench instead of sitting forlornly in the stands on his last night as a Liverpool player. Mind you, he would have been a great cameo player to have when we needed someone to poach a goal so badly.
But credit to the Liverpool players for really taking the game to Milan - the same side that mauled the Premiership champions Manchester United in the semi-finals.
The Mighty Reds may have lost, but they can surely walk away with their heads held high.
19:45 UK - Olympic Stadium, Athens
AC Milan vs. Liverpool
PREVIEW:
In a rematch of the epic 2005 final, Italian giants AC Milan will be up against five-time European champions Liverpool in the final of the 2007 UEFA Champions League.
Both teams boast an amazing european pedigree and between them, have a combined total of 11 European Cup/Champions League trophies.
AC Milan and Liverpool's only previous meeting in European competition was the epic Champions League final of 2005, which ended in a 3-3 draw. The Mighty Reds had recovered from a 3-0 half-time deficit, and eventually won 3-2 on penalties.
According to the latest reports, both teams have a clean bill of health - Milan captain Paolo Maldini appears to have recovered from a knee injury while Boudewijn Zenden has also recovered from the injury setback he sustained in training.
The manager of both sides have confirmed they have settled on their starting eleven and will only release their team sheets closer to kick-off.
Robbie Fowler will be looking to leave his beloved club with a winner's medal - the Anfield legend will be leaving the club after this game. While it appears unlikely he will have a starting role, he could very well feature in the match at a later stage, particularly if the match heads to penalties.
So, will AC Milan exact revenge for their humiliating loss in the 2005 final? Or will the Mighty Reds emerge triumphant once again?
Live coverage on SBS starts at 4:15 AEST. Kick-off at 4:45am.
Here is a video clip of Daniel Agger's goal which cancelled out Joe Cole's winner from the 1st leg of the Champion's League semi-final clash between Liverpool and Chelsea.
The goal was brought about after Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was fouled by Joe Cole outside the penalty box.
Gerrard fooled the Chelsea defence by appearing to run up for a crack at the near post only to roll the ball into the path of the unmarked Daniel Agger for the defender to prod the ball home.
The might Reds went onto win 4 - 1 on penalties to book a place in the final of the Champion's League for the second time in three years.
I wonder what Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho will be doing now on the night May 23rd?
Yes, you heard it right, Liverpool is going to the Champions League final once again! The tickets to Athens have just been booked and it's going to be the Reds! No Blues!
This is perhaps the most important match of the season so far as i have mentioned and the result couldn't have gone any better! Somehow it felt like we have just won the trophy! Guess it's probably because everyone's been wary about our chances in getting through this time after down one goal deficit in aggregate.
The match started well, and Rafa surprised everyone again (well, at least i am!) with his starting lineup, with Zenden starting his 3rd consecutive match on the left wing. Alonso is dropped to allow Gerrard playing at the middle alongside Mascherano, and Pennant on right wing. The solid Finnan returned to his right back position, and that's the only change in the defensive line from the first leg's team. Crouch upfront with Kuyt, to all Liverpudlians' delight.
Once again, the victorious Reds!
Liverpool went on initiative from the start, and at one point around 20 minutes the possession reads Liverpool 71% to Chelsea's 29%. Pushing for that one goal to put us back into equation is important and at 22nd minute we got what we wanted! Agger's strike from Gerrard's free kick stunned Chelsea's defense and the ball in the net send the crowd into frenzy. From then on, we should be pushing for more, but Chelsea fight back. The latter part of the first half saw Chelsea bombarding their way to get the advantage goal, but we held on.
Second half was pretty much an evenly fought game, although Chelsea put more pressure on us. But we were the ones that came closest when Crouch's header somehow put away to safety by Cech and Kuyt's header hit the crossbar! Pennant also could have scored from Terry's clearance mistake, but was too slow to hit the ball. And Chelsea were always dangerous with their free kicks, but we persevere and both teams enter extra time. The only real chance in extra time was when Kuyt's free inside the penalty box but could only hit it straight at Cech and being parried away.
So here it is, we are in another intense penalty shootout.
To be honest, i was a bit shocked when i saw Zenden came on as the first penalty taker. But i guess it all makes a bit sense that maybe Rafa had always been preparing him for this kind of moment. He was the utility player, and calm head is so important in taking penalties. He didn't fail Rafa. The rest of the story is on the video above, and Reina has proven his heroics last year at FA Cup final wasn't pure luck. We are in for another Champions League final!
Overall, the team played well. Zenden was a bit non-existent, he should be taken out if not for him having a better defensive ability compared to Gonzalez, and also the experience in big matches. Pennant was decent and his cross to Crouch was superb. I think it's quite surprising when he is taken out instead of Zenden at that moment. Gerrard put an inspirational display where he drives around and some good passings. Kuyt was very hardworking, and Mascherano was magnificient! I am very impressed by his defensive display, no nonsense and less complains. I am certain we will see him very often next season.
Defensively, all four backs were tough and solid. Agger's goal pretty much cancelled out his first leg's mistake in allowing Drogba's cross to Joe Cole which resulted the goal. And today he is in no mood to be dragged around by Drogba as easily as the first leg. Credit to Chelsea for keep pushing until the end, but we don't really appreciate how players such as Mikel Obi and Drogba keep going down easily. Essien did an excellent job playing out of position. Mourinho is again controversial with his comments that Chelsea were the best team and the only ones who wants to win. That is not true considering we have more shot on goals, although they did push very hard through the end of the match.
I am in no mood to be pissed by his comments, whatever they said, we are in the final. We are in for another memorable Champions League final, and that is all that matters. Good luck to them in the Premier League race and fighting for the prestigious FA Cup. It's a good day, great day where everything is about the colour red. Excellent job everyone, well done!
So here it is, the most anticipated night of the season for all Liverpudlians, the second leg UEFA Champions League semifinal against Chelsea at Anfield. We are one goal down as a result from the first leg at Stamford Bridge, and Liverpool must score at least one goal and keep a clean sheet to keep the tie alive into extra time, two to win the tie. But the safe number is still 3 goals, 3 will certainly be safe enough to see us through. So the question is, can we score?
A lot of people are talking about the Anfield factor, where the arguably best crowd will be loud cheering their beloved team. And they are regarded as the 12th man of Liverpool's team. Yet despite being extremely useful to drive our players, i think the quality means more than quantity. By this i refer to the players' performance on pitch tonight.
Rafa put it clear that the players did not perform as what he expected during the first leg, and issued the warning that they might be playing for their future. I couldn't be more pleased than hearing that. Rafa is right on spot, our performances were below par and that's definitely a sound reason contributing to our 1-0 defeat. He might have the best tactics in the world, but without the players executing them as planned, the tactic is simply a rubbish. So in tonight's match, nobody is expecting anything less from the boys. There's definitely a pressure, but without it nobody seemed to care!
Scoring is a must. One goal and a clean sheet is the least we can do. Considering Chelsea's side is depleted with several key players' injury and also the tiredness from Saturday's match against Bolton, we should grab this opportunity and blow them away. Left wing will be filled by Riise, and if we don't play all three of Carra, Agger and Hyypia, the young Insua could be a surprise inclusion. Finnan is hopefully fit enough to return on the right side, Gerrard will be just behind Crouch and Kuyt. Mascherano will definitely start, and Alonso perhaps will playing aside him. With all that, basically my expected teamsheet would be a 3-4-1-2 formation. That should be the starting line up, trying to grab a safety first goal before slowly changing the tactic accordingly.
Actually, i don't really care what exact formation Rafa will employ. I know he will go for an attacking pattern, so it's the players i am more concerned about. It's time for them to put up the performance. They will have the crowd singing and cheering from the start till the end of the game nonetheless, so please don't disappoint the fans anymore. This is probably the best possible scenario considering Chelsea's condition, so do us a favor, WIN THE TIE!
Alright, can't wait for the match now, but i guess i will have a good night sleep before waking up and watch this game. I may not be at Anfield, but i can still cheer in front of my television. I guess everyone's doing the same thing. Whatever happens, YNWA.
Chelsea and England midfielder Joe Cole ended his recent injury nightmare with the only goal of the match in a 1 - 0 victory over Liverpool in the semi-final of the UEFA Champion's League over-night.
The talented midfielder scored the decisive goal from a cross in the 29th minute after good work from defender Ricardo Carvalho and striker Didier Drogba.
The high-light of the game came after the match when Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, or 'Moaninho', complained on television about the referee failing to award a penalty for a hand-ball by Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa.
He said: “I do not understand why we do not have penalties when it is clear. It’s not fair. I hope, after the second leg, we are not crying again and thinking about a big decision.”
What he failed to note was that the hand-ball incident - and a purely accidental one at that - occurred OUTSIDE the penalty-box and by a fair distance.
Perhaps there really is a separate set of rules for Chelsea if that was to be deemed a penalty or Mourinho should simply get his eyes checked out.
Luckily, the referee was a much wiser man and waved the penalty claims away.
The 2nd leg of semi-final two will take place on May 1st with Chelsea holding a slender advantage. However, with Liverpool playing at home with the vocal Anfield faithful in full song, anything can happen.
Five-time European champions Liverpool and Italian giants AC Milan booked their places in the last four of the Champion's League with wins over PSV Eindhoven and Bayern Munich respectively.
Liverpool's place in the semi-finals was never under threat courtesy of the 3-nil cushion carried from the 1st leg, but England striker Peter Crouch made sure of the Reds' progression by scoring the only goal of the game in the 67th minute.
The goal was setup by Robbie Fowler AKA "God" with an exquisite swivel and pass into the box after the Anfield hero had come on as a sub in the 17th minute due to an injury to Craig Bellamy.
Although manager Rafa Benitez had stressed to his troops before the game to remain focussed, the boss had enough confidence in his team to leave influential duo Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher on the bench.
Without the talismanic captain on the pitch, the Reds lacked drive despite never having to step up a gear throughout the match.
Liverpool now faces Chelsea again in a re-run of the semi-final of 2005 in which the Reds went onto win the famous trophy.
England can now guarantee at least one of its clubs from the Premier League will reach the final in Athens.
Italian giants AC Milan defeated Bayern Munich in the other quarter-final tie to book a berth in the semi-finals against Manchester United.
Milan scored twice in four minutes from Filippo Inzaghi and Clarence Seedorf to win the game (4-2 on aggregate).
While I had correctly predicted the Milan - Bayern Munich game would end in a draw and Liverpool would score a vital away win against PSV Eindhoven, I well and truly underestimated the brilliance of the mighty Reds in Europe.
With the Kop fans still rejoicing over their team's 4 - 1 win against Arsenal over the weekend, the Reds carried on from where they left off with a restounding 3 - 0 win over PSV at the Philps Stadion over-night.
Talismanic captain Steven Gerrard got the ball rolling when he opened the scoring in the 27th minute from a Steve Finnan cross - his 15th Champion's League goal, a new club record, overtaking Kop legend Ian Rush's previous mark of 14 goals.
After the break, Liverpool moved in for the kill with John Arn Riise scoring an absolute screamer of a goal from 30 yards out after capitalising on a poor PSV defensive clearance.
With the Reds in total control of the game, hat-trick hero Peter Crouch continued his rich vein of form by heading in the third goal of the match from another Steve Finnan cross.
With three vital away goals, the mighty Reds well and truly have one foot in the semi-finals of the Champion's League for the second time in three seasons.
Meanwhile Bayern Munich's last-gasp equaliser puts them in the driving seat for the return leg of their quarter-final tie against Milan.
Trailing 1 - 2 to Andrea Pirlo's header and Brazilian Kaka's penalty, Daniel van Buyten scored his second goal of the evening with the last kick of the game to equalise for the German giants.
The Quarter finals of the Champion's League kick-starts the business end of Europe's premier club competition with Italian giants AC Milan taking on Germany's Bayern Munich at the San Siro while PSV Eindhoven entertain five-time European champions Liverpool in Holland.
AC Milan welcomes back captain Paolo Maldini for the clash while defender Alessandro Nesta should also make a come-back at some stage during the match.
Former World Player of the Year Ronaldo is cup-tied and will most likely be replaced by Albert Gilardino.
Bayern Munich will be without skipper Oliver Kahn (suspended) and Mark van Bommel (injured).
PSV Eindhoven has several injured players for this match: Alex, Kone and Afellay.
Apart from Craig Bellamy, Liverpool has litte injury worries although midfielder Mohamed Sissoko is suspended for the first leg.
Liverpool 0-1 Barcelona (Agg:2-2 Liverpool goes through on away goals rule)
Chelsea 2-1 Porto (Agg:3-2)
Lyon 0-2 Roma (Agg:0-2)
Valencia 0-0 Inter (Agg:2-2 Valencia progresses on the away goals rule)
SUMMARY:
The Mighty Reds are through to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champion's League after knocking out reigning European champions Barcelona at Anfield early this morning (AEST).
Liverpool proved too good for Barcelona over the two matches and the Spanish side's famed attacking quartet of Ronaldinho, Deco, Messi and E'too simply could not breakdown a resilient Liverpool defence marshalled by the brilliant Jamie Carragher.
Barcelona knew they had their work cut out for the 2nd leg when Liverpool visited the Nou camp and left with a win and two vital away goals a fortnight ago.
However, it was Liverpool who dominated for much of the game and had plenty of chances to settle the tie in the first half when both John Arn Riise and Momo Sissoko rattled the cross bar.
In a last roll of the dice for Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard, the Dutchman sent on Gudjohnsen in place of Thuram for the last 20 minutes and the move immediately paid dividends.
With Barca now effectively playing in a 4-2-4 formation, the Liverpool defence momentarily collapsed under the onslaught and allowed substitute Gudjohnsen to score in the 75th minute.
Liverpool were pinned back in their own half defending desperately but held onto progress through to the quarter finals by virtue of the away goals rule in what Jamie Carragher hailed as one of Liverpool's greatest European results.
footballnotsoccer
Paladin
Hardy
KC Hill
techman
Graham Fisher
Andrew Aigner-Muehler
LukeS
Craig Hill
Add Comments
Comments (4)
